A report on the investigation into the sinking of the El Faro, which carried four native Mainers, recommends civil penalties against the ship's owner, TOTE Maritime, and cites Capt. Michael Davidson, of Windham, as one of the responsible parties.

The report from the Marine Board of Investigation released Sunday cites TOTE Maritime, Capt. Davidson, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the U.S. Coast Guard as responsible in the ships sinking, which killed all 33 on board.

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The El Faro sank during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015 as it made the trip from Jacksonville, Florida, to Puerto Rico.

Investigators say Capt. Davidson misjudged Hurricane Joaquin and ended up turning toward the storm when inclement conditions hit. The report adds that the captain overestimated the ship's ability to withstand such conditions and didn't understand the severity of the storm, despite warnings.

Among the 39 safety recommendations listed in the report, four include potential violations on the part of TOTE Maritime. Investigators say there were potential violations in rest requirements for crew members, failure to hold safety orientation for certain crew members, and failure to notify the Coast Guard or American Bureau of Shipping of repairs to live-saving equipment and the ship's boiler piping.

Investigators noted that the Coast Guard did not certify that it met certain safety standards and delegated some certification and inspection to the American Bureau of Shipping. Officials stated that lifeboats on the El Faro had not been properly tested in the water for several years.

The determination was made that crew members could not abandon ship and that staying on board to the end was the only course of action, but U.S. Coast Guard officials said during Sunday's press conference that something likely could have been done to save some of the crew members on board. Most of the report's recommendations were aimed at preventing future casualties.

The Coast Guard searched more than a hundred miles by air and sea and found no survivors. Three hearings on the ship's sinking were held, including testimony from 79 witnesses.

Four Mainers were on board the ship: Capt. Michael Davidson, of Windham; Dylan Meklin and Danielle Randolph, both of Rockland; and Michael Holland, of Wilton. Another Maine Maritime graduate, Mitchell Kuflik, was also on board.